The Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs has regularly emphasised over many months now that it is her intention to publish a White Paper on sustainable farming before the end of this year. Now, I'm looking at the business statement published, and there is no oral statement related to that White Paper scheduled at the moment. That brings me to the conclusion either that she won't make that announcement before the end of the year, or, of course, that it's the Government's intention to publish or announce that White Paper not to the Senedd first of all, via an oral statement, but via a written statement.

Now, you will understand as well as I do how significant this White Paper will be, because it does make recommendations on a once in a generation change to the way agriculture is supported in Wales. It's also contentious, and I would very much hope that it's not the Government's intention to release this White Paper, let's say, as I've heard suggested, on the last day of term, on 16 December, which would allow Ministers, then, to run away and hide under a stone until the new year, in the hope that the fuss will have died down a little by the time Members have an opportunity to discuss the White Paper in the Chamber. So, can I ask for an oral statement to correspond with the release of that White Paper?

And may I also ask for a statement from Government in response to the spending review by the Chancellor of the UK Government? You, as well as anybody, will be aware of the implications of that for budgets here in Wales. I'm thinking specifically here, of course, of the cut, which is what it is, in the financial support for agriculture in Wales—many of us are deeply concerned about this. You, as a Government, are clearly aware that it is a cut, the Scottish Government describe it in the same way, the Executive in Northern Ireland and the agricultural unions—the message is clear. Many of us have warned on underspend within the rural development plan, and I know that we have additional years to spend that money, but it is now clear that we are being penalised as a result of that. 

So, I would like to hear, either from the agriculture Minister what implications this cut will have for the sector in Wales, or from you, more broadly, not only on this issue, but also on the implications in terms of the change in the way of expenditure on transport in England for Wales, and other issues around the spending review, because they will be very far-reaching indeed.